The Loch Ness monster has been urged to come out of its watery hiding place by a white witch who cast spells to lure it to appear.

Kevin Carlyon, high priest of the British Coven of White Witches, travelled to Scotland to tempt Nessie out.

He claimed there have been few sightings of the monster since he cast a spell to protect her two years ago.

The 44-year-old from Hastings, East Sussex, made the "blocking spell" in April 2001 in an attempt to thwart Swedish scientist Jan Sundberg's plans to trap the elusive creature.

I am confident my invocation will work and there will be many more sightings in the future

Kevin Carlyon

On Friday, Mr Carlyon, a former wrestler, strode around the four cardinal compass points at the loch and called on the elements of earth, air, fire and water to use their powers to let Nessie surface to safety.

Dressed in robes, he said: "I came back to Loch Ness to put right something that went slightly wrong two years ago and has resulted in so few monster sightings since.

"I am confident my invocation will work and there will be many more sightings in the future."

The white witch also threw a lump of iron ore into the water which came from Hastings.

Fans say there have been several sightings of Nessie this year

The rock carried runic symbols of peace as well as Latin words which he said meant "surface" and "to be safe".

Gary Campbell, from the Loch Ness Monster Fan Club said: "There have been far too few sighting in the past two years so hopefully Kevin can coax her back to the surface."

The spells were carried out in front of the Loch Ness Clansman Hotel, which is about four miles from Drumnadrochit.